Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour; four other acts quit

The lineup changed

What happened

On September 14, Macklemore announced that he had been removed from eight scheduled appearances on Ed Sheeran's stadium tour, the Loop Tour. Macklemore said Sheeran and his team made the decision; tour promoter Messina Touring Group said venues had told it they would not allow concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, which it said would have meant cancelling the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.¹²⁵

• On September 14, Macklemore announced that he had been removed from eight scheduled appearances on Ed Sheeran's stadium tour, the Loop Tour. Macklemore said Sheeran and his team made the decision; tour promoter Messina Touring Group said venues had told it they would not allow concerts with Macklemore on the lineup, which it said would have meant cancelling the tour and affected hundreds of thousands of fans.¹²⁵

Sheeran said Macklemore's contract was with the promoter. The artist, promoter and venue records saved through September 20 do not include that contract or its terms for content and removal.²

• Sheeran said Macklemore's contract was with the promoter. The artist, promoter and venue records saved through September 20 do not include that contract or its terms for content and removal.²

The dispute reaches beyond one lineup because three parties can shape what a stadium audience hears. AP asked three music-business participants who were not involved in Sheeran's tour to explain how authority is divided among a venue, promoter and headliner: a venue can refuse an act, a promoter pays the performers and deals with venues, and the headliner generally has substantial approval over the show.³²

• The dispute reaches beyond one lineup because three parties can shape what a stadium audience hears. AP asked three music-business participants who were not involved in Sheeran's tour to explain how authority is divided among a venue, promoter and headliner: a venue can refuse an act, a promoter pays the performers and deals with venues, and the headliner generally has substantial approval over the show.³²

The objections followed Macklemore's first MetLife Stadium show on September 4. There, he said “Free Palestine” and showed images of destruction in Gaza; he later said Sheeran told him those words and “the image of the Palestinian flag” had hurt people Sheeran spoke with. Macklemore also performed “Hind's Hall.” The song was written after the 2024 campus protests, refers to Columbia University and is named for Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza.²⁵¹²⁷

• The objections followed Macklemore's first MetLife Stadium show on September 4. There, he said “Free Palestine” and showed images of destruction in Gaza; he later said Sheeran told him those words and “the image of the Palestinian flag” had hurt people Sheeran spoke with. Macklemore also performed “Hind's Hall.” The song was written after the 2024 campus protests, refers to Columbia University and is named for Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza.²⁵¹²⁷

Pink, a singer, reposted an Instagram message from StopAntisemitism, a pro-Israel campaign group, that accused Macklemore of ambushing fans; she later said she had not asked for him to be silenced or fired.²⁶²⁵ Macklemore said, “I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim,” and said all three still had careers, money, safety and audiences around the world.¹

• Pink, a singer, reposted an Instagram message from StopAntisemitism, a pro-Israel campaign group, that accused Macklemore of ambushing fans; she later said she had not asked for him to be silenced or fired.²⁶²⁵
• Macklemore said, “I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim,” and said all three still had careers, money, safety and audiences around the world.¹

Sheeran's official North American schedule listed 27 shows, with 10 after September 14.¹¹ Macklemore had been scheduled for eight of the later dates and had already appeared at both MetLife Stadium dates, on September 4 and 5.²⁵¹³

• Sheeran's official North American schedule listed 27 shows, with 10 after September 14.¹¹
• Macklemore had been scheduled for eight of the later dates and had already appeared at both MetLife Stadium dates, on September 4 and 5.²⁵¹³

On September 15, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga announced that they were leaving.²⁹ Rowe and Lukas Graham were billed as U.S. support alongside Macklemore on his eight remaining dates, Beoga was performing several songs inside Sheeran's set, and Finneas was booked for the South American dates.¹²²⁹

• On September 15, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham and Beoga announced that they were leaving.²⁹
• Rowe and Lukas Graham were billed as U.S. support alongside Macklemore on his eight remaining dates, Beoga was performing several songs inside Sheeran's set, and Finneas was booked for the South American dates.¹²²⁹

Sheeran said Macklemore had asked to join the tour the previous year and he agreed because he respected him as an artist.² He said Macklemore, like all his support acts, chose his own setlist.² Sheeran said venues threatened to pull shows after Macklemore's performances because of how part of his message was conveyed. He spent the week speaking with them, including Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, but could not change the venue and promoter decision.²⁸² He said he would not abandon fans, crew, support acts or musicians who relied on him for work, and that his audience included children and families who did not expect a political forum.²

• Sheeran said Macklemore had asked to join the tour the previous year and he agreed because he respected him as an artist.²
• He said Macklemore, like all his support acts, chose his own setlist.²
• Sheeran said venues threatened to pull shows after Macklemore's performances because of how part of his message was conveyed. He spent the week speaking with them, including Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, but could not change the venue and promoter decision.²⁸²
• He said he would not abandon fans, crew, support acts or musicians who relied on him for work, and that his audience included children and families who did not expect a political forum.²

MetLife to venue objections

Why Macklemore was removed

The first performance drew criticism from pro-Israel groups. After that show, the Israeli American Council, an advocacy group, launched a petition calling for Macklemore's removal. It addressed Sheeran, tour leadership and every venue hosting the tour, and asked whether his speech, visuals and “Hind's Hall” had been approved in advance.²⁵¹⁰

• The first performance drew criticism from pro-Israel groups. After that show, the Israeli American Council, an advocacy group, launched a petition calling for Macklemore's removal. It addressed Sheeran, tour leadership and every venue hosting the tour, and asked whether his speech, visuals and “Hind's Hall” had been approved in advance.²⁵¹⁰

The American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that criticized the performance, said its New Jersey office contacted MetLife Stadium about the show. AJC said stadium administrators raised its concerns directly with the tour and artists and offered refunds before the second show to ticket holders who chose not to attend.⁷

• The American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that criticized the performance, said its New Jersey office contacted MetLife Stadium about the show. AJC said stadium administrators raised its concerns directly with the tour and artists and offered refunds before the second show to ticket holders who chose not to attend.⁷

An unnamed person told The Wall Street Journal that representatives of several NFL owners contacted the promoters after the first show and “heard back that Macklemore would leave out any mention of the issue from his act.” The Journal did not say who gave the assurance.³⁵

• An unnamed person told The Wall Street Journal that representatives of several NFL owners contacted the promoters after the first show and “heard back that Macklemore would leave out any mention of the issue from his act.” The Journal did not say who gave the assurance.³⁵

At the second MetLife show, Macklemore again called for a free Palestine. He addressed “all of my Jewish brothers and sisters,” said criticism of Israel and apartheid and being against genocide were not criticism of them, and said his message was peace, love, dignity, respect and equality.³⁵²⁵

• At the second MetLife show, Macklemore again called for a free Palestine. He addressed “all of my Jewish brothers and sisters,” said criticism of Israel and apartheid and being against genocide were not criticism of them, and said his message was peace, love, dignity, respect and equality.³⁵²⁵

CBS New York reported no response from MetLife Stadium to its request by September 7. MetLife Stadium's news page, as saved September 21, carried no statement about the shows.⁴⁴¹⁴

• CBS New York reported no response from MetLife Stadium to its request by September 7. MetLife Stadium's news page, as saved September 21, carried no statement about the shows.⁴⁴¹⁴

Robert Kraft, the Gillette Stadium owner, confirmed that the venue had refused Macklemore. He said allowing Macklemore to appear on September 25 and 26 would make the venue a “platform for hate speech.”²⁸

• Robert Kraft, the Gillette Stadium owner, confirmed that the venue had refused Macklemore. He said allowing Macklemore to appear on September 25 and 26 would make the venue a “platform for hate speech.”²⁸

Kraft cited Macklemore's recent actions, “material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.” He said the decision was not intended to diminish innocent Palestinians' suffering or deny anyone the right to advocate for them, and that such advocacy should not obscure Hamas's responsibility.²⁸

• Kraft cited Macklemore's recent actions, “material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran's shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.” He said the decision was not intended to diminish innocent Palestinians' suffering or deny anyone the right to advocate for them, and that such advocacy should not obscure Hamas's responsibility.²⁸

Macklemore said Sheeran maintained an “I don't take sides” position. He said he had made the same statements on stages for almost three years and argued that their association with a larger artist, major U.S. stadiums and bigger audiences made them newly risky.¹

• Macklemore said Sheeran maintained an “I don't take sides” position. He said he had made the same statements on stages for almost three years and argued that their association with a larger artist, major U.S. stadiums and bigger audiences made them newly risky.¹

Macklemore said antisemitism was real, but argued that criticism of Israel or opposition to Zionism should not be conflated with hatred of Jewish people.¹

• Macklemore said antisemitism was real, but argued that criticism of Israel or opposition to Zionism should not be conflated with hatred of Jewish people.¹

Macklemore said Sheeran told him that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners.¹

• Macklemore said Sheeran told him that Kraft had rallied other stadium owners.¹

In reporting Messina's claim that venues had objected, Rolling Stone named seven alleged objectors: Gillette Stadium, Raymond James Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, Bank of America Stadium and AT&T Stadium.²⁵ Alan Clendenin, a Tampa Sports Authority board member and Tampa City Council chair, said the lineup change had nothing to do with the authority, which manages the county-owned Raymond James Stadium.³⁹²⁴

• In reporting Messina's claim that venues had objected, Rolling Stone named seven alleged objectors: Gillette Stadium, Raymond James Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, Bank of America Stadium and AT&T Stadium.²⁵
• Alan Clendenin, a Tampa Sports Authority board member and Tampa City Council chair, said the lineup change had nothing to do with the authority, which manages the county-owned Raymond James Stadium.³⁹²⁴

Several of the seven named venues are publicly owned or publicly run, which matters only if a government body took part in excluding an artist over what he said; public ownership alone does not show who made the decision or whether constitutional protections apply, and the Philadelphia records request asks exactly whether public entities took part.²²⁹

• Several of the seven named venues are publicly owned or publicly run, which matters only if a government body took part in excluding an artist over what he said; public ownership alone does not show who made the decision or whether constitutional protections apply, and the Philadelphia records request asks exactly whether public entities took part.²²⁹

Earlier that summer, Raymond James Stadium had booked a different artist under terms that FOX 13 reported limited the stadium authority's power to cancel. The outlet said the contract for two Kanye West concerts “explicitly blocks” the Tampa Sports Authority from canceling or interfering because of the artist's identity, past statements or political views, and that the promoter had requested the clause. The contract itself had not been published by September 20, so those terms remain FOX 13's account.⁴⁰ Venue refusals can lead a promoter to remove an act from a national tour, but no public Sheeran-tour contract shows whether Macklemore had a similar clause or who made the final decision.²⁵³²

• Earlier that summer, Raymond James Stadium had booked a different artist under terms that FOX 13 reported limited the stadium authority's power to cancel. The outlet said the contract for two Kanye West concerts “explicitly blocks” the Tampa Sports Authority from canceling or interfering because of the artist's identity, past statements or political views, and that the promoter had requested the clause. The contract itself had not been published by September 20, so those terms remain FOX 13's account.⁴⁰
• Venue refusals can lead a promoter to remove an act from a national tour, but no public Sheeran-tour contract shows whether Macklemore had a similar clause or who made the final decision.²⁵³²

Four decisions, four roles

Why the other artists left

Finneas said artists should not be silenced when they speak for oppressed people and withdrew from his upcoming dates with Sheeran.³

• Finneas said artists should not be silenced when they speak for oppressed people and withdrew from his upcoming dates with Sheeran.³

Aaron Rowe withdrew as a North American support act. He said he could not accept billionaires using their power to silence people who speak up.⁴

• Aaron Rowe withdrew as a North American support act. He said he could not accept billionaires using their power to silence people who speak up.⁴

Beoga departed as Sheeran's band for the remaining U.S. dates. The band said it would not play venues that silence artists for saying “Free Palestine.”⁶

• Beoga departed as Sheeran's band for the remaining U.S. dates. The band said it would not play venues that silence artists for saying “Free Palestine.”⁶

Beoga blamed what it called “zionist lobbies” for Macklemore's removal and told people to research Kraft, his relationship with Israel and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.⁶

• Beoga blamed what it called “zionist lobbies” for Macklemore's removal and told people to research Kraft, his relationship with Israel and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.⁶

Lukas Graham objected to wealth determining who gets to speak and withdrew from the remaining dates. The band also said there was not one single reason for its decision.⁵

• Lukas Graham objected to wealth determining who gets to speak and withdrew from the remaining dates. The band also said there was not one single reason for its decision.⁵

Philadelphia

What happened next

On September 17, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil-rights advocacy group known as CAIR-Philadelphia, announced that it had submitted a Pennsylvania Right-to-Know request concerning the Philadelphia lineup decision. The request asks for records from August 1 to September 15 showing who made or was told of the decision, what policy or contract term was cited for excluding a performer, and whether the City of Philadelphia or its industrial-development authority was consulted.⁹

• On September 17, the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a civil-rights advocacy group known as CAIR-Philadelphia, announced that it had submitted a Pennsylvania Right-to-Know request concerning the Philadelphia lineup decision. The request asks for records from August 1 to September 15 showing who made or was told of the decision, what policy or contract term was cited for excluding a performer, and whether the City of Philadelphia or its industrial-development authority was consulted.⁹

CAIR-Philadelphia said its request did not presume what any records would show. Pennsylvania gives an agency five business days after it receives a request to respond.⁹¹⁷

• CAIR-Philadelphia said its request did not presume what any records would show. Pennsylvania gives an agency five business days after it receives a request to respond.⁹¹⁷

On September 18, the Massachusetts attorney general's office told Boston 25 it was reviewing at least 25 complaints requesting refunds from Ticketmaster. For ticket purchasers generally, the office said lineup changes do not necessarily entitle them to a refund.⁴²

• On September 18, the Massachusetts attorney general's office told Boston 25 it was reviewing at least 25 complaints requesting refunds from Ticketmaster. For ticket purchasers generally, the office said lineup changes do not necessarily entitle them to a refund.⁴²

Ticketmaster told Boston 25 that organizers set refund policy. The tour FAQ answers buyers who changed their minds by saying, “All sales are final”; it does not address refunds sought after an advertised act was removed.⁴²¹¹

• Ticketmaster told Boston 25 that organizers set refund policy. The tour FAQ answers buyers who changed their minds by saying, “All sales are final”; it does not address refunds sought after an advertised act was removed.⁴²¹¹

The September 19 Philadelphia show went ahead, and Sheeran began alone with no support act. He later introduced a new five-member backup band, made up of a drummer, guitarist, bass player, keyboardist and violinist, that had joined with three days' notice. He said he removed a secondary stage used at other concert stops because he feared what could happen if he stood in the middle. A small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside before the concert.³⁴³⁸³⁴ On September 20, Lincoln Financial Field's event page still listed Macklemore, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe for the show.¹⁶

• The September 19 Philadelphia show went ahead, and Sheeran began alone with no support act. He later introduced a new five-member backup band, made up of a drummer, guitarist, bass player, keyboardist and violinist, that had joined with three days' notice. He said he removed a secondary stage used at other concert stops because he feared what could happen if he stood in the middle. A small group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside before the concert.³⁴³⁸³⁴
• On September 20, Lincoln Financial Field's event page still listed Macklemore, Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe for the show.¹⁶

On stage in Philadelphia on September 19, Sheeran told the crowd, “I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I am so, so sorry.”³⁸

• On stage in Philadelphia on September 19, Sheeran told the crowd, “I've had to take and make difficult decisions, and I am making mistakes, and I am so, so sorry.”³⁸

Sheeran posted a video from Philadelphia on Instagram.⁸ The Guardian published the clip the next day, carrying his words that the situation in Gaza was “catastrophic and unjustifiable.”⁴³ He also said he worried about venues preapproving performances.³⁴

• Sheeran posted a video from Philadelphia on Instagram.⁸
• The Guardian published the clip the next day, carrying his words that the situation in Gaza was “catastrophic and unjustifiable.”⁴³
• He also said he worried about venues preapproving performances.³⁴

AEG Presents' official schedule, as saved September 21, still listed Macklemore, who had been removed, and Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, who had withdrawn, on the dates that had booked Macklemore; it listed Rowe on the two Hollywood dates.¹²¹⁵⁴ That schedule and the artists' statements named no replacement opening act for the remaining dates. The only personnel added after the changes that the reports saved through September 20 identify are the five members of the backing band Sheeran introduced in Philadelphia after three days' notice.³⁸ Those reports do not say whether the band continued to later dates.

• AEG Presents' official schedule, as saved September 21, still listed Macklemore, who had been removed, and Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, who had withdrawn, on the dates that had booked Macklemore; it listed Rowe on the two Hollywood dates.¹²¹⁵⁴
• That schedule and the artists' statements named no replacement opening act for the remaining dates. The only personnel added after the changes that the reports saved through September 20 identify are the five members of the backing band Sheeran introduced in Philadelphia after three days' notice.³⁸

What remains private

What we do not know yet

The artist, promoter and venue records saved through September 20 include no executed agreement assigning authority over the Loop Tour lineup.

Macklemore said Sheeran told him Kraft had rallied other stadium owners, Sheeran said he spoke with venues including Kraft, and The Wall Street Journal reported contacts between NFL owners' representatives and the promoters.¹²³⁵ The Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Panthers owner David Tepper and Falcons owner Arthur Blank had made up their minds and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie would soon reach the same conclusion as the owners prepared to address Macklemore's place on the bill.³⁵ The statements and reports saved through September 20 do not reproduce the calls or show who held contractual authority over the lineup, and none names an actor for Lucas Oil Stadium or AT&T Stadium.

• Macklemore said Sheeran told him Kraft had rallied other stadium owners, Sheeran said he spoke with venues including Kraft, and The Wall Street Journal reported contacts between NFL owners' representatives and the promoters.¹²³⁵
• The Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Panthers owner David Tepper and Falcons owner Arthur Blank had made up their minds and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie would soon reach the same conclusion as the owners prepared to address Macklemore's place on the bill.³⁵

The terms for Gillette Stadium's Account Manager ticket site say, “No refund will be owed if an opening act or festival performer is changed or canceled.” Massachusetts law separately requires licensed ticket sellers to guarantee a refund when a ticket fails to conform to its advertised description, unless the purchaser preapproved a substitution of tickets.¹⁸¹⁹

• The terms for Gillette Stadium's Account Manager ticket site say, “No refund will be owed if an opening act or festival performer is changed or canceled.” Massachusetts law separately requires licensed ticket sellers to guarantee a refund when a ticket fails to conform to its advertised description, unless the purchaser preapproved a substitution of tickets.¹⁸¹⁹

The attorney general's September 18 statement did not say whether removing an advertised opening act met the law's ticket-description test.

Sources

The records

Everything this page rests on, numbered where the story cites it. We keep a dated copy of each one.

Primary documents

1. 1Macklemore removal statement · Instagram, 2026-09-14 · the removal account, venue-pressure claim and MetLife count
2. 2Ed Sheeran response · Instagram, 2026-09-15 · his account of setlists, venue talks, contract roles and reasons for continuing
3. 3Finneas withdrawal statement · Instagram, 2026-09-15 · his withdrawal
4. 4Aaron Rowe withdrawal statement · Instagram, 2026-09-15 · his withdrawal as a North American support act
5. 5Lukas Graham withdrawal statement · Instagram, 2026-09-15 · the band's withdrawal from remaining dates
6. 6Beoga departure statement · Instagram, 2026-09-15 · the band's departure from remaining U.S. dates
7. 7American Jewish Committee MetLife account · LinkedIn, 2026-09-08 · AJC's account of its Meadowlands contact, concerns raised with the tour and the refund offer
8. 8Ed Sheeran Philadelphia reel · Instagram, September 19, 2026 · the original video post and its Philadelphia caption
9. 9CAIR-Philadelphia request announcement · 2026-09-17 · the announcement that a Philadelphia public-records request had been submitted
10. 10Israeli American Council petition · saved September 20, 2026 · the petition's addressees and advance-approval question

Official data

11. 112026 North America Tour FAQ · Ed Sheeran · the complete North American schedule, remaining-date denominator and changed-mind refund answer
12. 12AEG Presents Loop Tour schedule · last changed October 6, 2025 · the advertised support acts on Macklemore's eight remaining dates
13. 13Official past tour dates · Ed Sheeran, saved September 20, 2026 · the two MetLife dates
14. 14MetLife Stadium news page · saved September 21, 2026 · the dated check of the stadium's own news index for a statement about the shows
15. 15Gillette Stadium event listing · saved September 20, 2026 · the two Foxborough dates
16. 16Lincoln Financial Field event listing · saved September 20, 2026 · the Philadelphia date and three artists still advertised on September 20
17. 17Pennsylvania Right-to-Know guide · saved September 20, 2026 · the five-business-day response period
18. 18Gillette Stadium Ticketmaster terms · updated July 2, 2026 · the opening-act change and refund term
19. 19Massachusetts ticket-refund law · current September 20, 2026 · the advertised-description refund condition
20. 20Philadelphia stadium lease record · 2011 bond document · the public lease chain for Lincoln Financial Field
21. 21Mercedes-Benz Stadium ownership record · Georgia World Congress Center Authority · public ownership and Falcons operation of Mercedes-Benz Stadium
22. 22AT&T Stadium lease announcement · City of Arlington, April 21, 2026 · City ownership and Cowboys operation of AT&T Stadium
23. 23Lucas Oil Stadium authority page · State of Indiana · state-authority ownership and county-board operation of Lucas Oil Stadium
24. 24Raymond James Stadium ownership timeline · Tampa Sports Authority · Hillsborough County ownership and public-authority management of Raymond James Stadium

Coverage checked

25. 25Rolling Stone removal report · 2026-09-14 · Messina Touring Group's statement and the eight-of-ten schedule
26. 26BBC support-acts report · September 15, 2026 · StopAntisemitism's criticism and Pink's Instagram repost
27. 27Associated Press removal report · 2026-09-14 · a separate publisher carrying Rolling Stone's Messina statement, plus AP's reporting on Kraft
28. 28USA Today Kraft report · 2026-09-14 · Kraft's full statement and NFL-stadium dates
29. 29Associated Press supporting-acts report · 2026-09-15 · the four departures and their tour roles
30. 30Reuters Sheeran response report · 2026-09-15 · a separate publisher carrying Rolling Stone's Messina statement, plus Reuters reporting on Sheeran's response and the departures
31. 31RTÉ supporting-acts report · 2026-09-15 · extended passages from the artists' statements
32. 32Associated Press tour-control report · 2026-09-17 · the promoter, venue and headliner control framework
33. 33Associated Press donations follow-up · 2026-09-19 · the $1 million pledge and six recipients
34. 34Associated Press Philadelphia article · 2026-09-19, saved again on 2026-09-20 · the September 19 preview and September 20 revision covering the completed concert, no opener, remarks and demonstration
35. 35Wall Street Journal venue-pressure report · 2026-09-16 · the unnamed-source account of owner representatives contacting promoters, an assurance before the second show and additional NFL owners
36. 36Rolling Stone Aaron Rowe follow-up · 2026-09-18 · Rowe's later defense of Sheeran and continued objection to the removal
37. 37New York Times Philadelphia outcome · 2026-09-19 · the delayed start and Sheeran's fuller remarks
38. 38Philadelphia Inquirer concert review · September 20, 2026 · Sheeran's apology, the new five-member band and the removed secondary stage
39. 39Tampa Bay Times Raymond James report · 2026-09-15 · Alan Clendenin's statement that the public agency was not involved in the lineup change
40. 40FOX 13 Raymond James contract report · June 18, 2026 · the promoter-requested contract clause, lawsuit liability and stadium payments
41. 41Tampa Bay Times Ye revenue report · ArcaMax republication, August 7, 2026 · the post-concert Sports Authority revenue result, carried in a live ArcaMax republication
42. 42Boston 25 Gillette refund report · September 18, 2026 · the complaint count, attorney general review and Ticketmaster policy statement
43. 43Guardian video of Sheeran's Philadelphia remarks · September 20, 2026 · Sheeran's own words about Gaza, sourced by the Guardian to his Instagram reel
44. 44CBS New York MetLife report · September 7, 2026 · MetLife Stadium's lack of response to CBS New York's request for comment by September 7

How we check.

Sources

• Associated Press · September 19, 2026 · For Palestinian aid groups, Macklemore's $1M pledge brings relief and attention to ongoing suffering
• Rolling Stone · September 14, 2026 · Macklemore Removed From Ed Sheeran Tour After 'Free Palestine' Statement